Product

Star anise

Star anise, also called aniseed, comes by its name honestly, with its star shape and a licorice taste similar to regular anise, only stronger.
Originating in China, the Vietnamese use star anise ground or whole in sweet desserts as well as in main dishes and soups.
The taste is sweet and spicy, like licorice and the odour aromatic and agreeable.
It is about one inch high with eight segments and a dark brown rust color.

Using Star Anise in Cooking

Star anise plays a key role in the slow cooked dishes that characterize Eastern Chinese cuisine. Its licorice flavor enhances red cooked dishes, as well as eggs simmered in black tea. Star anise is one of the spices in five-spice powder.

Outside of China, star anise is featured in several of Vietnam's signature dishes, such as Pho Bo soup. It is also the secret ingredient in many Indian stews and curries. Star anise can replace regular anise in western recipes.

Medical Uses of Star Anise

In traditional Chinese medicine, star anise is prescribed as a digestive aid and to help cure colic in babies. More recently, Shikimic Acid, extracted from star anise, is one of the chief ingredients in the antiviral Tamiflu drug used to fight avian influenza.